Pirate Radio Stations Verified Certificate from L'Associazione Italiana Radioacolto (L'A.I.R.) - Level 1

Today I received my new (and final) Certificate from L'Associazione Italiana Radioascolto (roughly translated, the Italian Radio Listeners Association) for having verified reception of 100 or more pirate radio stations! It is the highest of the 4 levels of recognition, in terms of the number of pirate broadcasters heard and verified (10, 30, 50 and 100 stations).

In September I earned the 2nd level Certificate (50 or more pirate stations verified). Of the 110 submissions for this level, approximately twenty percent (25%) are North American pirate broadcasters. The remaining seventy-five percent (75%) are European pirates logged via the SDR at the University of Twente, in the Netherlands.

Thank you Fiorenzo for processing my diploma!

Happy Hanukkah Radio North American shortwave pirate radio 6950 khz eQSL

This great eQSL from Happy Hanukkah Radio was arrived in my email tonight!  I caught their special Hanakkah broadcast yesterday and send in my reception report + audio clip.  It was a tough reception (on my Sangean ATS 909 receiver) mostly because the broadcast aired just after 8 AM - with the sun already overhead, and that made conditions pretty tough going.  Although, thankfully, Happy Hanukkah Radio rebroadcast the show later in the day (just after sunset) and that reception was much clearer!

Thanks Moishe - and Happy Hanukkah!

2015 Taconic Road Runners Team and Couples Relays: Race Photos & Results

We had great weather for the Taconic Relays this morning - both the team and couples relays!  In fact, there were 17 registered for the couples relay alone (which may be a record turnout).  It may have been the great weather - or the fantastic brunch that followed the races - that fueled the turnout.  Either way, it was a good time :D

Here are the results from the team relays.

The rest of my pictures are up on Facebook.

Radio Waves International French shortwave pirate radio 6070 khz (via SDR) QSL Card

 

This great QSL Card was in my mailbox when I got home last night - real mailbox!  Even more remarkable, it crossed the Atlantic in just 4 days - I submitted the report Sunday!  An email reply came back in a few hours after I sent in the report stating that a reply would be forthcoming.

While Radio Waves International is a French broadcaster, I tuned in via the relay on Channel 292 - which transmits from Germany.  I listened via the SDR at Twente.

Programming consisted of French music during the first part of the show, followed by a block of country western music!  In between was a promo for the QSL Award contest!

Thanks Peter!

N.O.T. "Never on Time" Radio Southern Europe shortwave pirate radio 19300 khz (via SDR) eQSL

I received this amazing eQSL from N.O.T. Radio ("Never on Time") yesterday!  What excellent imagery it contains - with who seems like Mr. Twilight Zone himself, Rod Sterling, standing in the doorway!  I tuned in to there broadcast, from Southern Europe (possibly Italy?), on 19300 kHz, via the SDR at Twente.  According the email, they were "testing a new, very low power transmitter."  The programming included dance (techno) style music.

Many thanks N.O.T. Radio!

Blue Dragon AM Italian shortwave pirate radio 6975 khz (via SDR) eQSL

 

This fantastic eQSL arrived from Blue Dragon AM yesterday.  What makes this one especially cool is that it was from Blue Dragon's first broadcast!  I tuned in to their shortwave broadcast, from Italy, via the SDR at Twente in the Netherlands.  Programming consisted of mostly dance music, including that disco classic "Le Freak" :D

From the email:

I'm very happy that you have listened the first transmission of Blue Dragon AM.

Blue Dragon is an Italian project that I thought for a long time and I've been able to accomplish after made a 100 w transmitter and have installed some dipoles that allow me to cover various frequencies.

I hope to have you back among our listeners and thanks to share info about my blog.

Greetings.

Mr. Blue

Please take the time to check out their blog (link above)!

December 2015 Race Schedule

December kicks off this weekend with the Taconic Relays this weekend (and a great post-race breakfast + beer)!  It's an annual highlight.  The following weekend is the NYRR Ted Corbitt 15k (and my first opportunity to check out the new pick-up location).  It's the last team points race of the year.  After the 15k, the Taconic's regroup in the Bronx for another post-race breakfast/brunch - a theme for early December :D

The next day is a trip to Queens for the B.U.S. Fat Ass Trail Mix-Up.  The distance is 50k, with a 30k option.  In the past I've opted for the 30k - and, given the 15k + brunch on Saturday, will probably stick with that distance again :D

Another December classic is the Holiday Run for Toys 5K in Fairfield the next weekend.  Interestingly, there is a Holiday Classic 10k in Central Park the day before (12/19).  That's a new one for me and I may check it out.  Another new one (for me) is the post-Christmas Nyack Snowflake 5K (12/27) which I'm also tempted to run.

Here's how it looks so far:

12/6 - Taconic Couples Relay
12/12 - NYRR Ted Corbitt 15k
12/13 - BUS Fat Ass Trail Mix-Up 30k
12/20 - Holiday Run for Toys 5k

As always, if you're at any of these events - say hello!